A massive toxic inferno which broke out at an illegal tyres dump is a prime example of the cost of breaking environmental rules.

After more than 100,000 worn tyres went up in flames, scores of residents living near to the Tyre Trade UK Ltd base in Mexborough had to be evacuated from their homes.

Jane Ann Hopkins and David Squire, pleaded guilty this week to a string of charges for breaching Environmental Health regulations.

Both admitted four counts of operating the facility without an Environmental Permit between April 2008 and August 2009, and a separate charge of keeping tyres “in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment or harm human health” between February 2009 and June 2010.

Ian Cowie, of the Environment Agency, said: “This case shows exactly the reason why sites like this should have environmental permits.

“A tyre fire last year caused massive inconvenience to the community when 72 households were evacuated, as well as being a huge drain on the public purse from the point of view of fire service and council costs to deal with the incident.

“This case is a prime example of the cost to everyone of people and companies breaking environmental laws.

“The Environment Agency has teams dedicated to catching and bringing to justice people and companies which put our environment at risk.”

Squire and Hopkins will be sentenced in December after further court reports are completed.